Chapter 1 AP Gov Vocab

politics

the process of influencing the actions and policies of government

government

the rules and institutions that make up the system of policymaking

democracy

a system of government where power is held by the people

natural rights

the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away

social contract

people allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society

popular sovereignty

the idea that the government's right to rule comes from the people

republicanism

a system in which the government's authority comes from the people

inalienable rights

rights the government cannot take away

liberty

social, political, and economic freedoms

participatory democracy

a theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government

pluralist theory

a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process

elitist theory

a theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process

political institutions

the structure of government, including the executive, legislative, and judiciary

constitutional republic

a democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law

The Enlightenment

a movement that emphasized science and reason as guides to help see the world more clearly

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.

Thomas Hobbes

believed that people are born selfish and need a strong central authority, wrote Leviathan